Wrench



Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WRENGH Application filed April 5, 1929. Serial No. 352,682.

This invention relates to wrenches of the screw and slide type and aims to provide a simple and inexpensive attachment on the slide cooperating with the bar to hold the screw out of engagement with the bar so that the movable jaw may be quickly and easily moved to the desired position and then the slide snapped into the screw engaging position. 1

In the accompanying drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a wrench embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 38 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3, but showing the slide rocked to disengage the screw from the shank.

Referring particularly to the drawing, the improvement is there shown as being applied to a wrench, which may be and preferably is of the same general type as that now in common use. It is shown as having a fixed jaw member on a bar 11 and a movable jaw member 12 is carried on a slide 13, which operates on the bar. The front edge of the slide below the aw carries the usual thumb screw 14 meshing with teeth 15 on the front edge of the bar.

The bar-receiving socket or opening in the slide 13 is flared outwardly and downwardly at the outer edge, as shown at 16 in Fig. 1, to permit the slide to be rocked sufficiently to disengage the screw 14 from the teeth (see the dotted position), so that theslide can be pushed along the bar to the desired place and rocked back into screw-engaging position.

Herein, the bar has strengthening ribs 17 on opposite sides adjacent to the edges presenting a channel on each side, and the slide has a spring latch member arranged to coact with one edge of the bar or one rib when the slide is rocked. In accordance with the in vention, a tapered stop member or plunger 18 projects through a correspondingly shaped opening in one side of the slide. and is normally urged to snap into the channel adj acent to the inner rib by means of a leaf 0 spring 19, to which it may be secured. The

leaf spring is preferably secured in a shallow channel or slot 20' cut crosswise the slide, the ends of the spring being suitably secured at the ends of the slot. The spring is thus set in the slide for protection.

Now, referring to Fig. 3, the plunger is there shown as being forced into the channel adjacent to the inner rib to hold the slide in screw-engaging position. The inner edge of the rib is slightly inclined, so that by applying moderate pressure to the back of the slide, the plunger will slide to the top of the rib, as shown in Fig. 4, at the same time howing the spring. The spring pressure on the plunger will hold the slide rocked while it is being moved to the desired position. Then, by applying rearward pressure tothe bottom inner edge of the slide, it may be rocked back to normal screw-engaging position when the spring will cause the plunger to snap into the channel and hold the slide so that it will not he accidentally rocked.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the improved attachment is very simple and easy to apply, and that it is not easily broken. Further, it is easy to operate and will result in a great saving of time.

Obviously the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly, since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and subcombinations.

/Vhat I claim is 1. In a wrench having a fixed jaw on a ribbed bar member, teeth on one edge of the bar; a slide member having a jaw; a screw propeller mounted on the slide member so that its threads intermesh with the teeth on the bar member; said slide having a flared socket to permit rocking movement thereof so as to disengage the screw from the teeth on the bar member; and a spring urged stop mounted in a side wall of the slide member to coact with a rib on the bar member as and for the purpose described.

2. In a wrench of the screw and slide type wherein the slide is arranged to be rocked on the bar to disengage the screw, a spring urged plunger extending through one side of the slide and pressed against a side edge of the bar when the slide is rocked whereby to permit the slide to be moved freely on the bar.

3. In a wrench of the screw and slide type having provision for rocking the slide to disengage the screw, a rib on one side of the bar; a spring urged tapered plunger in one side of the slide normally engaging one edge of the rib when the screw is engaged and adapted to ride on the top of the rib when the slide is rocked to disengage the screw, whereby to frictionally hold the slide in rocked position so that the slide can be moved freely on the bar. 7

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

NATHANIEL B. STONE. 

